Police and fire investigators are looking into a spate of suspicious fires in Braintree.

The first suspected arson attack happened at 12.45am on Sunday, when fire crews from Braintree, Coggeshall and Halstead were called to CSS Recruitment's premises in Panfield Lane.

They spent about 30 minutes tackling the blaze, which involved pressurised cylinders and completely destroyed an outbuilding.

An unsuccessful attempt had also been made to set fire to the main shop building.

While firefighters were on the scene, two more arson attacks took place when a bin and shed were set on fire at nearby addresses.

Damage was minor but the fire brigade spent another 20 minutes making sure those fires were out.

At 12.30pm on Sunday, a skip was set on fire dangerously close to a factory unit in Benfield Way, and at 5.15pm a recycling bin in Station Approach was torched.

Information to Braintree police on 01376 551312.

Published Monday July 26, 2004

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